Claims
- 1. A web adjuster device comprising:
a frame having a bottom surface and an opposite top surface defining a first web engaging surface, the frame including a pair of upstanding side walls extending upwardly away from the first web engaging surface; and a web clamping member movably mounted to the frame between the pair of side walls, the web clamping member defining a second web engaging surface and a third web engaging surface separate from the second web engaging surface; wherein the frame is configured to receive therein from a first end through a second opposite end a web extending between the sidewalls and between the first and second web engaging surfaces and in contact with the third web engaging surface; and wherein the third web engaging surface is configured to be responsive to a first direction of web travel through the device to force the second web engaging surface toward the first web engaging surface, and to a second opposite direction of web travel through the device to force the second web engaging surface away from the first web engaging surface, the third web engaging surface being maintained within the frame above the bottom surface of the frame through full range of movement of the web clamping member relative to the frame.
- 2. The web adjuster device of claim 1 wherein the web clamping member is pivotally mounted to the frame between the upstanding sidewalls.
- 3. The web adjuster device of claim 1 further including a mounting plate defining a top surface and a pair of upstanding sidewalls extending upwardly away from the top surface of the mounting plate, the mounting plate mounted to the frame with the top surface of the mounting plate in contact with the bottom surface of the frame and with the web clamping member movably mounted between the upstanding sidewalls of the mounting plate.
- 4. The web adjuster device of claim 1 wherein the first web engaging surface of the frame defines a plane;
and wherein the second opposite end of the frame defines a back wall extending upwardly away from the first web engaging surface and terminating at a top web-engaging edge positioned above the plane defined by the first web engaging surface.
- 5. The web adjuster device of claim 4 wherein the first and second web engaging surfaces are configured to grip a web extending therebetween as the second web engaging surface of the web clamping member is forced toward the first web engaging surface of the frame.
- 6. The web adjuster device of claim 5 wherein the web clamping member includes a handle portion configured for manual manipulation of the web clamping member.
- 7. The web adjuster device of claim 6 further including a biasing mechanism mounted in contact with the web clamping member and the frame, the biasing mechanism biasing the second web engaging surface of the web clamping member toward the first web engaging surface of the frame.
- 8. The web adjuster device of claim 7 wherein the web clamping member includes a protrusion extending toward the back wall of the frame, the protrusion defining the third web engaging surface of the web clamping member.
- 9. The web adjuster device of claim 6 wherein the web clamping member includes a protrusion extending downwardly toward the top surface of the frame, the protrusion defining the third web engaging surface of the web clamping member;
and wherein the protrusion is located between the second web engaging surface of the web clamping member and the handle portion thereof.
- 10. The web adjuster device of claim 9 wherein each of the sidewalls of the frame define a channel therethrough;
and wherein the protrusion of the web clamping member defines a pin on opposite sides thereof, the pins received within the channels of the sidewalls to thereby limit movement of the web clamping member relative to the frame.
- 11. The web adjuster device of claim 1 wherein the first and second web engaging surfaces are configured to grip a web extending therebetween as the second web engaging surface of the web clamping member is forced toward the first web engaging surface of the frame.
- 12. The web adjuster device of claim 1 wherein the web clamping member includes a protrusion extending downwardly toward the top surface of the frame, the protrusion defining the third web engaging surface of the web clamping member.
- 13. The web adjuster device of claim 12 wherein the web clamping member includes a handle portion configured for manual manipulation of the web clamping member;
and wherein the protrusion of the web clamping member is located between the second web engaging surface and handle portion thereof.
- 14. A web adjuster device comprising:
a frame having a bottom surface and an opposite top surface defining a first web engaging surface, the frame including a pair of upstanding side walls extending upwardly away from the first web engaging surface; a web clamping member movably mounted to the frame between the pair of side walls, the web clamping member defining a second web engaging surface and a third web engaging surface separate from the second web engaging surface; and a web extending into a first end of the frame through an opposite second end of the frame, the web received between the sidewalls and between the first and second web engaging surfaces and in contact with the third web engaging surface; wherein the web traveling in a first direction through the device engages the third web engaging surface to force the second web engaging surface toward the first web engaging surface to trap the web therebetween, and the web traveling in a second opposite direction through the device engages the third web engaging surface to force the second web engaging surface away from the first web engaging surface to allow web travel in the second opposite direction, the third web engaging surface being maintained within the frame above the bottom surface of the frame through full range of movement of the web clamping member relative to the frame.
- 15. The web adjuster device of claim 14 wherein the web clamping member is pivotally mounted to the frame between the upstanding sidewalls.
- 16. The web adjuster device of claim 14 further including a mounting plate defining a top surface and a pair of upstanding sidewalls extending upwardly away from the top surface of the mounting plate, the mounting plate mounted to the frame with the top surface of the mounting plate in contact with the bottom surface of the frame and with the web clamping member movably mounted between the upstanding sidewalls of the mounting plate.
- 17. The web adjuster device of claim 14 wherein the first web engaging surface of the frame defines a plane;
and wherein the second opposite end of the frame defines a back wall extending upwardly away from the first web engaging surface and terminating at a top web-engaging edge positioned above the plane defined by the first web engaging surface.
- 18. The web adjuster device of claim 14 wherein the first and second web engaging surfaces are configured to grip the web as the second web engaging surface of the web clamping member is forced toward the first web engaging surface of the frame.
- 19. The web adjuster device of claim 18 wherein the web clamping member includes a handle portion configured for manual manipulation of the web clamping member.
- 20. The web adjuster device of claim 19 further including a biasing mechanism mounted in contact with the web clamping member and the frame, the biasing mechanism biasing the second web engaging surface of the web clamping member toward the first web engaging surface of the frame.
- 21. The web adjuster device of claim 20 wherein the web clamping member includes a protrusion extending toward the back wall of the frame, the protrusion defining the third web engaging surface of the web clamping member.
- 22. The web adjuster device of claim 19 wherein the web clamping member includes a protrusion extending downwardly toward the top surface of the frame, the protrusion defining the third web engaging surface of the web clamping member;
and wherein the protrusion is located between the second web engaging surface of the web clamping member and the handle portion thereof.
- 23. The web adjuster device of claim 22 wherein each of the sidewalls of the frame define a channel therethrough;
and wherein the protrusion of the web clamping member defines a pin on opposite sides thereof, the pins received within the channels of the sidewalls to thereby limit movement of the web clamping member relative to the frame.
- 24. The web adjuster device of claim 14 wherein the first and second web engaging surfaces are configured to grip the web as the second web engaging surface of the web clamping member is forced toward the first web engaging surface of the frame.
- 25. The web adjuster device of claim 14 wherein the web clamping member includes a protrusion extending downwardly toward the top surface of the frame, the protrusion defining the third web engaging surface of the web clamping member.
- 26. The web adjuster device of claim 25 wherein the web clamping member includes a handle portion configured for manual manipulation of the web clamping member;
and wherein the protrusion of the web clamping member is located between the second web engaging surface and handle portion thereof.
- 27. A web adjuster device comprising:
a frame defining a web receiving surface and a pair of upstanding side walls extending upwardly away from the web receiving surface, the web receiving surface defining a web engaging protrusion extending away from the web receiving surface; and a web clamping member movably mounted to the frame between the pair of side walls, the web clamping member defining a web engaging surface; wherein the frame is configured to receive therein from a first end through a second opposite end a web extending between the sidewalls and between the web engaging protrusion and web engaging surface of the web clamping member; and wherein the web engaging surface of the web clamping member is configured to be responsive to a first direction of web travel through the device to force the web engaging surface toward the web engaging protrusion of the frame, and to a second opposite direction of web travel through the device to force the web engaging surface away from the web engaging protrusion of the frame.
- 28. The web adjuster device of claim 27 wherein the web engaging surface of the web clamping member is configured to grip a web extending therebetween as the web engaging surface of the web clamping member is forced toward the web engaging protrusion of the frame.
- 29. The web adjuster device of claim 28 wherein the web clamping member includes a handle portion configured for manual manipulation of the web clamping member.
- 30. The web adjuster device of claim 29 further including a biasing mechanism mounted in contact with the web clamping member and the frame, the biasing mechanism biasing the engaging surface of the web clamping member toward the web engaging protrusion of the frame.
- 31. The web adjuster device of claim 30 wherein the web clamping member is configured such that the web engaging surface of the web clamping member is forced away from the web engaging protrusion of the frame by applying pressure on the handle portion in a direction toward the web receiving surface of the frame.
- 32. The web adjuster device of claim 30 wherein the web clamping member is configured such that the web engaging surface of the web clamping member is forced away from the web engaging protrusion of the frame by applying pressure on the handle portion in a direction away from the web receiving surface of the frame.
- 33. A web adjuster device comprising:
a frame defining a web receiving surface and a pair of upstanding side walls extending upwardly away from the web receiving surface, the web receiving surface defining a web engaging protrusion extending away from the web receiving surface; a web clamping member movably mounted to the frame between the pair of side walls, the web clamping member defining a web engaging surface; and a web extending into a first end of the frame through an opposite second end of the frame, the web received between the upstanding sidewalls and between the web engaging protrusion and the web engaging surface of the web clamping member; wherein the web traveling in a first direction through the device engages the web engaging surface of the web clamping member to force the web engaging surface of the web clamping member toward the web engaging protrusion of the frame to trap the web therebetween, and the web traveling in a second opposite direction through the device engages the web engaging surface of the web clamping member to force the web engaging surface of the web clamping member away the web engaging protrusion of the frame to allow web travel in the second opposite direction.
- 34. The web adjuster device of claim 33 wherein the web engaging surface of the web clamping member is configured to grip the web as the web engaging surface of the web clamping member is forced toward the web engaging protrusion of the frame.
- 35. The web adjuster device of claim 34 wherein the web clamping member includes a handle portion configured for manual manipulation of the web clamping member.
- 36. The web adjuster device of claim 35 further including a biasing mechanism mounted in contact with the web clamping member and the frame, the biasing mechanism biasing the engaging surface of the web clamping member toward the web engaging protrusion of the frame.
- 37. The web adjuster device of claim 36 wherein the web clamping member is configured such that the web engaging surface of the web clamping member is forced away from the web engaging protrusion of the frame by applying pressure on the handle portion in a direction toward the web receiving surface of the frame.
- 38. The web adjuster device of claim 30 wherein the web clamping member is configured such that the web engaging surface of the web clamping member is forced away from the web engaging protrusion of the frame by applying pressure on the handle portion in a direction away from the web receiving surface of the frame.
- 39. A web adjuster device adapted to clamp a webbing having a free end and a tension end when tension is applied to the tension end of the webbing, the adjuster device comprising:
a webbing guide; a clamp element pivotally mounted with respect to said webbing guide; a locking cam on said clamp element which in a locked position clamps said webbing between said locking cam and said webbing guide to prevent movement of said webbing through said adjuster when said tension is applied to the tension end; a release actuator to cause rotation of said clamp element to move said locking cam to a position where said webbing is released to allow it to move in either direction through said adjuster device; and a projection on said clamp element that abuts against the webbing between the locking cam and the tension end thereof so that said webbing when tensioned exerts a force against said projection which urges or causes rotation of said clamping element in a direction that holds or moves said locking cam in or into a locked position.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/307,897, filed Jul. 26, 2001, and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/394,142, filed Jul. 5, 2002, the disclosures of which are each incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60307897 |
Jul 2001 |
US |
|
60394142 |
Jul 2002 |
US |